Development principle determination support device, development principle determination support system, and development principle determination support program

Abstract

To support a developer so that the developer can determine a development principle appropriately reflecting users' needs.SOLUTION: A development principle determination support device according to an embodiment comprises an acquisition unit, a classification unit, and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires usage logs when users use a medical instrument. The classification unit classifies potential users' needs for the medical instrument on the basis of the usage logs. The determination unit determines the degree of fitness of a proposed development principle to the users' needs on the basis of a result of the classification of the potential users' needs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a development guideline determination support device, a development guideline determination support system, and a development guideline determination support program. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, when developing new medical devices, development guidelines are determined by collecting and analyzing information such as the trends of other companies, technological trends, and technology trends from academic surveys, etc., and then analyzing user needs for the medical device.

[0003] However, in general, the analysis of user needs that is conducted when determining development guidelines focuses on explicit user needs that are clarified through interviews with users such as doctors and engineers, and does not include latent user needs.

[0004] Therefore, with the conventional method of determining development guidelines, user needs may not be properly reflected in the development guidelines, which may result in a decrease in the product's competitiveness with other companies after it is launched on the market, leading to reduced profits. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-242329 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to support developers in determining development guidelines that appropriately reflect user needs. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A development guideline determination support device according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a classification unit, and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires a usage log of a user's use of a medical device. The classification unit classifies potential user needs for the medical device based on the usage log. The determination unit determines the suitability of a proposed development guideline to the user needs based on the classification results of the potential user needs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a development guideline determination support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a development guideline determination support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing performed by the processing circuit of the development guideline determination support device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a development guideline determination support device, a development guideline determination support system, and a development guideline determination support program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a development guideline determination support system 100 according to an embodiment.

[0011] The development guideline determination support system 100 of this embodiment is used by developers involved in the development of medical devices, and supports the developers in determining development guidelines that appropriately reflect user needs when developing new medical device products.

[0012] Specifically, the development guideline decision support system 100 according to this embodiment utilizes usage logs recorded when a user uses a medical device to extract latent user needs for the medical device being developed, and uses the extracted latent user needs in addition to the explicit user needs to determine the suitability of the proposed development guideline to the user needs.

[0013] Here, explicit user needs are needs that can be extracted by collecting and analyzing information such as the movements of other companies, technological trends, and technology trends from academic research, patent research, and global situations, or by analyzing subjective information obtained by interviewing users, etc.

[0014] In contrast, latent user needs are needs that users unconsciously feel when using medical devices and cannot be extracted from subjective information. For example, latent user needs include ease of operation, ease of handling the device, and ease of viewing information.

[0015] 1, a development guideline determination support system 100 includes a data recording device 110 and a development guideline determination support device 120. The data recording device 110 and the development guideline determination support device 120 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 130 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0016] The data recording device 110 stores a usage log of various medical devices when a user uses the medical devices. For example, the data recording device 110 is realized by a computer device such as a server, a workstation, or a personal computer.

[0017] Here, the usage log is data that records information about various events that occur in the medical device as a history, and is automatically created when a user uses the medical device and accumulated in the memory unit of the medical device, etc. For example, the usage log records the content of operations performed on the medical device, the time when the operations were performed, etc.

[0018] Furthermore, the medical equipment is, for example, a medical imaging diagnostic device such as an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) device, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, an ultrasound diagnostic device, an X-ray diagnostic device, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) device, or a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) device.

[0019] For example, the data recording device 110 periodically collects usage logs from various medical devices at predetermined times via the network 130, and stores the collected usage logs in a storage unit such as a hard disk or optical disk within the device.

[0020] The development guideline determination support device 120 is a device used by developers involved in the development of medical devices, and supports the developers in determining development guidelines when developing new medical devices. Specifically, the development guideline determination support device 120 supports the developers in determining development guidelines that appropriately reflect user needs when developing new medical devices.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a development guideline determination support device 120 according to the embodiment.

[0022] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the development guideline determination support device 120 includes a network (NW) interface 121, a storage circuit 122, an input interface 123, a display 124, and a processing circuit 125.

[0023] The NW interface 121 controls the transmission and communication of various data transmitted and received between other devices connected via the network 130. Specifically, the NW interface 121 is connected to the processing circuit 125, and controls the transmission and communication of various data under the control of the processing circuit 125. For example, the NW interface 121 is realized by a network card, a network adapter, a NIC (Network Interface Controller), or the like.

[0024] The memory circuitry 122 stores various data, various programs, etc. Specifically, the memory circuitry 122 is connected to the processing circuitry 125, and stores and reads out various data, various programs, etc. under the control of the processing circuitry 125. For example, the memory circuitry 122 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc.

[0025] The input interface 123 accepts input operations of various instructions and various information from an operator. Specifically, the input interface 123 is connected to the processing circuitry 125, converts the input operations received from the operator into electrical signals, and outputs the electrical signals to the processing circuitry 125. For example, the input interface 123 may be realized by a mouse, a keyboard, a touchpad that performs input operations by touching the operation surface, a touchscreen that integrates a display screen and a touchpad, a non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, a voice input circuit, etc.

[0026] The display 124 displays various types of information and various types of data. Specifically, the display 124 is connected to the processing circuit 125 and displays various types of information and various types of data output from the processing circuit 125. For example, the display 124 is realized by a liquid crystal monitor, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor, a touch panel, or the like.

[0027] The processing circuitry 125 controls the components of the development guideline determination support device 120 in response to input operations received from an operator via the input interface 123. For example, the processing circuitry 125 stores data received by the NW interface 121 in the storage circuitry 122. Furthermore, for example, the processing circuitry 125 reads data stored in the storage circuitry 122 in response to a request from the operator and displays the read data on the display 124.

[0028] Specifically, the processing circuit 125 has an acquisition function 125a, a classification function 125b, and a determination function 125c. The acquisition function 125a is an example of an acquisition unit. The classification function 125b is an example of a classification unit. The determination function 125c is an example of a determination unit.

[0029] The acquisition function 125a acquires from the data recording device 110 a usage log relating to the medical device under development.

[0030] The classification function 125b classifies potential user needs for the medical device to be developed based on the usage log acquired by the acquisition function 125a. In this embodiment, the classification function 125b further classifies actual user needs for the medical device to be developed.

[0031] The determination function 125c determines the degree of conformance of the proposed development guideline to the user needs based on the classification results of the latent user needs obtained by the classification function 125b. In this embodiment, the determination function 125c determines the degree of conformance of the proposed development guideline to the user needs based on the classification results of the apparent user needs and the latent user needs obtained by the classification function 125b.

[0032] In this embodiment, the processing circuitry 125 is realized by, for example, a processor. In this case, the above-described processing functions are stored in the storage circuitry 122 in the form of programs executable by a computer. The processing circuitry 125 then reads and executes the programs stored in the storage circuitry 122 to realize the functions corresponding to the programs. In other words, the processing circuitry 125 has the processing functions shown in FIG. 2 when the programs are read.

[0033] The following describes in detail the processing performed by each processing function of the processing circuit 125 of the development guideline determination support device 120 according to this embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing performed by each processing function of the processing circuit 125 of the development guideline determination support device 120 according to the embodiment.

[0035] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, first, the acquisition function 125a receives input of a proposed development guideline from a developer (step S101).

[0036] Here, the developer inputs, as development guidelines, guidelines regarding the performance and structure that the new product is expected to achieve, such as how many minutes it will take to capture an image, or how the size of the device will be 10 centimeters smaller than the current device.

[0037] The acquisition function 125a also receives input from the developer of a plurality of items indicating apparent user needs for the medical device to be developed and the importance of each item (step S102).

[0038] Here, the developer inputs items related to user needs and the importance of each item extracted by analyzing, for example, information on trends of other companies, technological trends, and technology trends collected from academic surveys, etc., and information obtained by interviewing users, etc., as multiple items indicating explicit user needs and the importance of each item.

[0039] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the importance of multiple items indicating apparent user needs is received from a developer, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the acquisition function 125a may receive only input of multiple items indicating apparent user needs from a developer and automatically determine the importance of each input item according to predetermined criteria.

[0040] Furthermore, the acquisition function 125a acquires a usage log relating to the medical device under development from the data recording device 110 (step S103).

[0041] Thereafter, the classification function 125b ranks the importance of each of the multiple items indicating apparent user needs input by the developer (step S104).

[0042] For example, the classification function 125b ranks the importance of each of a plurality of items indicating apparent user needs based on the importance input for each item by the developer.

[0043] Furthermore, the classification function 125b classifies the importance of each of a plurality of events that indicate potential user needs for the medical device being developed, based on the usage log acquired by the acquisition function 125a (step S105).

[0044] Here, for example, the multiple events indicating potential user needs are events related to the use or operation of a medical device. For example, the multiple events indicating potential user needs are events related to the frequency of use of the medical device, incorrect operations or mistouches, mouse pointer movement, etc. More specifically, for example, the multiple events indicating potential user needs are inputting information and pressing the Enter key, attaching and detaching device A, etc.

[0045] For example, the classification function 125b acquires the occurrence frequency of each of a plurality of events that indicate potential user needs based on the usage log acquired by the acquisition function 125a, and ranks and classifies the importance of each event based on the acquired occurrence frequency.

[0046] For example, the classification function 125b obtains the frequency of occurrence of information input and pressing of the Enter key based on the usage log, and if the obtained frequency of occurrence is every time, classifies the importance as "5", if it occurs once in 5 operations, classifies the importance as "3", and if it occurs once in 10 operations, classifies the importance as "1".

[0047] As another example, the classification function 125b may obtain the average number of times information is entered and the Enter key is pressed during one shooting based on the usage log, and if the obtained average number is 10 or more, classify the importance as "5", if it is 5 or more but less than 10, classify the importance as "3", and if it is less than 5, classify the importance as "1".

[0048] As another example, the classification function 125b may obtain the time required to complete one process based on the usage log, and if the obtained time is one minute or more, classify the importance as "5," if the obtained time is 30 seconds or more but less than one minute, classify the importance as "3," and if the obtained time is less than 30 seconds, classify the importance as "1."

[0049] Thereafter, the determination function 125c determines the degree of conformance of the proposed development guidelines to the user needs based on the classification results of the apparent user needs and the latent user needs (step S106).

[0050] For example, the judgment function 125c analyzes the contents of the proposed development guidelines to identify items related to the development guidelines from among multiple items that indicate apparent user needs, and judges the suitability of the development guidelines to the user needs based on the importance of the identified items.

[0051] In addition, the judgment function 125c analyzes the contents of the proposed development guidelines to identify events related to the development guidelines from among multiple events that indicate potential user needs, and judges the suitability of the development guidelines to the user needs based on the importance of the identified events.

[0052] At this time, for example, the determination function 125c analyzes the contents of the proposed development guidelines to extract keywords contained in the development guidelines, and identifies items or events related to the related guidelines by comparing the extracted keywords with multiple items indicating actual user needs or multiple events indicating latent user needs.The determination function 125c then aggregates the importance of the identified items or events and determines the aggregation result as the suitability of the development guidelines to the user needs.

[0053] For example, suppose the development guideline acquired by the acquisition function 125a is to reduce the size of the device by 10 centimeters compared to the current device. In response to this, the classification function 125b classifies the importance of an event in which the length of the mouse pointer's movement path exceeds a predetermined size as one of the events indicating potential user needs. In this case, the determination function 125c extracts, for example, "downsizing" included in the development guideline as a keyword, and identifies the event in which the length of the mouse pointer's movement path exceeds a predetermined size as an event related to the extracted "downsizing."

[0054] Here, for example, if the importance of the event that the length of the mouse pointer's movement line exceeds a predetermined size is classified as high, it is considered that operability can be improved by reducing the size of the device, and therefore the determination function 125c determines the conformance of the development guideline to the user needs as high in accordance with the importance.On the other hand, if the importance of the event that the length of the mouse pointer's movement line exceeds a predetermined size is classified as low, it is considered that reducing the size of the device is not necessarily required, and therefore the determination function 125c determines the conformance of the development guideline to the user needs as low in accordance with the importance.

[0055] Thereafter, the determination function 125c determines whether the suitability of the proposed development guidelines to the user needs satisfies a standard (step S107).

[0056] For example, the judgment function 125c judges that the suitability of the proposed development guidelines to the user needs meets the criteria if both the suitability determined based on the explicit user needs and the suitability determined based on the latent user needs meet predetermined criteria.

[0057] If it is determined that the degree of conformance meets the criteria (step S107, Yes), the determination function 125c displays on the display 124 that the degree of conformance meets the criteria (step S108), and ends the process related to the determination of the degree of conformance described above.

[0058] At this time, for example, the judgment function 125c displays on the display 124 a message urging the user to decide on the proposed development guidelines as the final development guidelines, along with information indicating the proposed development guidelines, information indicating the importance of each of the items indicating explicit user needs and events indicating latent user needs that have been identified as being related to the development guidelines, and information indicating the degree of suitability to the determined user needs.

[0059] On the other hand, if it is determined that the compatibility does not meet the criteria (step S107, No), the judgment function 125c displays on the display 124 that the compatibility does not meet the criteria (step S109), and accepts a choice from the operator as to whether or not to change the development guidelines (step S110).

[0060] At this time, for example, the judgment function 125c displays on the display 124 a message urging the user to change the development guidelines or to change or cancel the new product plan, along with information indicating the proposed development guidelines, information indicating the importance of each of the items indicating explicit user needs and events indicating latent user needs that have been identified as being related to the development guidelines, and information indicating the degree of conformity to the determined user needs.

[0061] If the operator selects to change the development guidelines (Yes in step S110), the determination function 125c returns control to step S101, and the acquisition function 125a accepts input of the changed development guidelines from the operator. Thereafter, the processing of steps S102 to S107 described above is executed again, and the conformity of the changed development guidelines to the user needs is determined.

[0062] On the other hand, if the operator selects not to change the development guidelines (step S110, No), the determination function 125c ends the process related to the determination of the degree of conformity described above.

[0063] Thus, in this embodiment, the process from inputting the development guidelines (step S101) to determining the degree of suitability (step S106) is repeatedly executed until it is determined that the suitability of the proposed development guidelines to the user needs meets the criteria, or until the operator chooses not to change the development guidelines.

[0064] Here, for example, when the processing circuitry 125 is realized by a processor, the processes of steps S101 to S103 shown in Fig. 3 are realized by the processing circuitry 125 reading out a program corresponding to the acquisition function 125a from the storage circuitry 122 and executing it. Also, the processes of steps S104 to S105 shown in Fig. 3 are realized by the processing circuitry 125 reading out a program corresponding to the classification function 125b from the storage circuitry 122 and executing it. The processes of steps S106 to S110 shown in Fig. 3 are realized by the processing circuitry 125 reading out a program corresponding to the determination function 125c from the storage circuitry 122 and executing it.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the acquisition function 125a acquires a usage log when a user uses a medical device. Furthermore, the classification function 125b classifies potential user needs for the medical device based on the usage log acquired by the acquisition function 125a. Then, the determination function 125c determines the suitability of the proposed development guideline to the user needs based on the classification result of the potential user needs obtained by the classification function 125b.

[0066] In this embodiment, the classification function 125b further classifies explicit user needs for medical devices. Then, the determination function 125c determines the suitability of the proposed development guidelines to the user needs based on the classification results of the explicit user needs and the latent user needs obtained by the classification function 125b.

[0067] According to the above configuration, by regarding medical device usage logs as potential user needs, developers can determine development guidelines based on objective facts. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when developing a new medical device, developers can be supported in determining development guidelines that appropriately reflect user needs. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in competitiveness with other companies after the product is released to the market, which could lead to a decrease in profits.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the acquiring unit, the classifying unit, and the determining unit in this specification are respectively realized by the acquiring function, the classifying function, and the determining function of a processing circuit, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the acquiring unit, the classifying unit, and the determining unit in this specification may be realized by only hardware, only software, or a combination of hardware and software, in addition to being realized by the acquiring function, the classifying function, and the determining function described in the embodiment.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the processing circuit is realized by a single processor has been described, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the processing circuit may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and each processor may execute a program to realize each processing function. Furthermore, each processing function of the processing circuit may be realized by being appropriately distributed or integrated among a single or multiple processing circuits. Furthermore, each processing function of the processing circuit may be realized by a combination of hardware and software, such as a circuit. Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment describes an example in which programs corresponding to each processing function are stored in a single storage circuit, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which programs corresponding to each processing function are distributed and stored among multiple storage circuits, and the processing circuit reads and executes each program from each storage circuit, may also be used.

[0070] Furthermore, the term "processor" used in the description of the above-mentioned embodiments refers to circuits such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). Here, instead of storing a program in a memory circuit, the processor may be configured so that the program is directly embedded in the circuit. In this case, the processor realizes its function by reading and executing the program embedded in the circuit. Furthermore, each processor in the present embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but may also be configured as a single processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize its function.

[0071] Here, the program executed by the processor is provided in advance in a read-only memory (ROM) or a storage circuit. The program may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium such as a compact disk (CD)-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a recordable CD-R (CD-R), or a digital versatile disk (DVD) in a format that can be installed or executed on these devices. The program may also be provided or distributed by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. For example, the program may be composed of modules including the above-described processing functions. In actual hardware, a CPU reads and executes the program from a storage medium such as a ROM, whereby each module is loaded into a main memory device and generated on the main memory device.

[0072] In addition, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the components of each device shown in the drawings are functional concepts and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution or integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. Furthermore, all or any part of the processing functions performed by each device can be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware using wired logic.

[0073] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using a known method.In addition, the information including the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified.

[0074] The various data handled in this specification are typically digital data.

[0075] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to support a developer in determining a development guideline that appropriately reflects user needs.

[0076] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100 Development Policy Decision Support System 110 Data recording device 120 Development guideline decision support device 125 Processing Circuit 125a Acquisition function 125b Classification function 125c Judgment function

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a usage log when a user uses a medical device; a classification unit that classifies potential user needs for the medical device based on the usage log; a determination unit that determines the conformity of the proposed development guidelines to the user needs based on the classification results of the potential user needs; A development guideline decision support device comprising:

2. The classifying unit further classifies apparent user needs for the medical device, the determination unit determines the degree of suitability based on the classification results of the apparent user needs and the latent user needs. The development guideline determination support device according to claim 1.

3. the classification unit classifies the importance of each of a plurality of events indicating the potential user needs into ranks based on the usage log; the determining unit identifies an event related to the development guideline from among the plurality of events by analyzing the content of the development guideline, and determines the degree of conformance based on the importance of the identified event. The development guideline determination support device according to claim 1.

4. the classification unit acquires an occurrence frequency of each of the plurality of events based on the usage log, and ranks the importance based on the acquired occurrence frequency. The development guideline determination support device according to claim 3.

5. the plurality of events are events related to the use or operation of the medical device; 5. The development guideline determination support device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. A development guideline decision support system including a data recording device and a development guideline decision support device, The data recording device stores a usage log when a user uses a medical device, The development guideline decision support device, an acquisition unit that acquires the usage log from the data recording device; a classification unit that classifies potential user needs for the medical device based on the usage log; a determination unit that determines the conformity of the proposed development guidelines to the user needs based on the classification results of the potential user needs; A development guideline decision support system that includes the above.

7. acquiring a usage log from a data recording device that stores a usage log when a user uses a medical device; classifying potential user needs for the medical device based on the usage log; determining the suitability of the proposed development guidelines to the user needs based on the classification results of the potential user needs; A development guideline decision support program that runs the above on a computer.

Images